Lighted Artwork Holder

ABSTRACT

Various implementations of the present invention provide systems and methods for lighting artwork. One implementation provides for placing the artwork, such as a photograph, in intimate contact with a transparent compliant layer. A transparent front panel is placed in front of the compliant layer. A light source is disposed along an edge of the front panel and compliant layer so that light radiated by the light source travels into the front panel and then through the compliant layer where the light is scattered back to an observer.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to illumination of artwork.

Artwork can be mounted in holders including picture frames. The artwork may be covered with a clear sheet of glass or plastic. Photographs, pictures or other artwork having a substantially flat surface are well suited for having a clear cover. The clear cover can help protect the artwork from damage yet permit viewing of the underlying work. External lighting may be used to illuminate the artwork for viewing when it is desired to enhance the ambient light. The artwork may be viewed using reflected or direct light.

Transparent materials may be placed in front of artwork so that the artwork may be viewed through material. For example, glass or plastic may be used to protect the underlying artwork. External lighting on the artwork may result in glare off of the front surface of the transparent material. Use of a matted glass or plastic may reduce glare, but can cause distortion of the photograph or artwork being displayed

Photographs may be created using a trichromatic system using, for example, the colors red, green and blue. Computer printed artwork may be created using a tetrachromatic system using, for example, the colors cyan, magenta, yellow and black. General printed artwork may feature even more color components for extremely high color rendering. These systems may be designed for use with reflected light. That is, external light that is reflected off of the front surface of the artwork. FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for mounting artwork 130 in a frame 100. A clear covering 110 may be placed in front of the artwork 130 to protect the artwork from damage from a variety of factors including the environment, dirt, certain types of light and undesired contact. The front panel 110 may be transparent, tinted, translucent or have other desired optical characteristics. A back panel 140 is disposed behind the artwork 130 to hold the artwork 140 in close contact with the front panel 110. Thus, the front panel 110 and the back panel 140 “sandwich” the artwork 130. The front panel 110, artwork 130 and the back panel 140 may be held together by suitable means including clips, screws and nails (not shown). A frame 100 may be positioned in front of the front panel 110 to frame the artwork 130. In this arrangement ambient light can pass through the clear covering, strike the underlying artwork and reflect off a front surface of the artwork back through the clear covering and to the viewer. Some of the light also may be reflected off of the front surface of the clear covering back to the viewer without passing through the clear covering.

FIG. 2 illustrates an apparatus for mounting artwork 130 in a frame 100 and having external illumination 210. The external illumination may be removable from the frame Artwork 130 may be supported between the frame 100 and the back panel 140. A transparent front panel (not shown) may be disposed between the artwork 130 and the frame 100 to protect the artwork 130, as described in FIG. 1. The frame 100 may be positioned in front of the front panel (not shown) to frame the artwork 130. A lighting fixture 210 may be mounted on the frame 100 to provide an illumination source for the artwork 130.

FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus for mounting art having a light fixture 310. The light fixture 310 may be disposed between the artwork 130 and the frame 100. One or more light sources 312 may be disposed along one or more of the inner surfaces of the light fixture 310. The light source(s) 312 radiate light over a front surface of the artwork 130. The radiated light that strikes the front surface of the artwork may be scattered away from the artwork towards a viewer.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. illustrates a mounting device for artwork.

FIG. 2. illustrates the mounting device of FIG. 1 with external illumination.

FIG. 3. illustrates a mounting device for artwork having integral illumination.

FIG. 4. illustrates an implementation of the lighted artwork holder in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 5. illustrates another implementation of the present disclosure having reflectors.

FIG. 6. is a cross-sectional view of an implementation of a lighted artwork holder

FIG. 7. is a cross-sectional view of a lighted artwork holder having a second back panel.

Like elements have the same number in the various figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The systems and techniques disclosed utilize reflected light to illuminate artwork.

Some or all of the implementations of the disclosure have one or more of the following advantages. A reduction in glare by the use of reflected light to illuminate artwork. Using reflected light to add the dimensionality without introducing undesirable color shifts that may result from use of transmitted light. Some implementations provide for even distribution of light across the front surface of the artwork.

These benefits may be realized by utilizing evanescent waves to scatter light from the front surface of a photograph, print or other artwork. Evanescent waves are light waves trapped at the surface of a smooth, transparent body. Placing a printed photograph in intimate contact with a transparent surface allows the photograph to interact with evanescent waves in a manner that results in light being forwardly scattered. The interaction of the photograph with the evanescent waves can allow for enhanced lighting on materials of arbitrary thickness or composition. The lighting system disclosed also can preserve the color rendering properties of the artwork being displayed and provide enhanced dimensionality associated with backlighted artwork.

The disclosed lighting system can be provided by a light source placed against one or more of the sides of a front panel that covers the artwork. The front panel can be made of transparent materials including glass, acrylic and plastic, so that the underlying artwork may be viewed through the front, or viewing, surface of the front panel. In an implementation, the light source is placed along one or more sides that are perpendicular to both the viewing surface and the artwork being displayed.

The artwork or photograph and the back surface of the front panel can be in intimate contact for the side lighting to be scattered evenly off of the artwork and to the observer. A back panel may be used to press the photograph against the back surface of the front panel. Unevenness of contact between the photograph and the front panel may lead to dim lighting or non-uniformity of lighting across the surface of the photograph. Factors that may result in these undesired lighting include deviations in the planarity of the front panel and the back panel used to press the photograph against the front panel and surface textures of the photograph.

FIG. 4 illustrates the illumination of artwork 130 in accordance with the present disclosure. The artwork 130 is held between a back panel 440 and a front panel 410. A compliant layer 420 is further disposed between the artwork 130 and the front panel 410. The compliant layer 420 may be composed of a non-rigid, suitably transparent material. A light source 412 can be located adjacent one or more edges of the front panel 410 that are perpendicular to the artwork 130. The light source 412 radiates light into the front panel 410 and then transmitted into the compliant layer 420. In an implementation, a refractive index of the front panel 410 and the compliant layer 420 are equal. This relationship between the refractive indices of the compliant layer and the front panel can reduce light reflected at the interface between the front panel 410 and the compliant layer 420.

The compliant layer 420 can allow intimate optical contact between the artwork 130 and the front panel 410. When intimate contact is established, light that propagates inside the front panel 410 may interact with the artwork 130 in such a manner that light is scattered in the forward direction towards the observer.

In an implementation, the compliant layer 420 is separate and distinct from the front panel 410 and may thus be removed or replaced. In other implementations, the compliant layer 420 is adhered to the front panel 410.

Applying pressure to the backside of a photograph forces it into intimate contact with the compliant layer, resulting in substantially all of the artwork being in intimate optical contact with the front panel. This in turn allows the front surface of the artwork to interact with light injected into the side of the front panel in a manner that scatters it in a forward direction.

The compliant film can be transparent and yield slightly under pressure. A compliant film may be a separate piece or coated onto one side of the front panel. For example, a transparent silicone film may be applied to a sheet of acrylic, glass or polycarbonate to create the compliant layer. Other soft silicones, latex, urethane, vinyl or epoxy materials that are transparent and non-rigid also can provide suitable compliant films. In some circumstances semi-liquid materials such petroleum or silicone jellies or oils also may provide a compliant film.

The back plate should be sufficiently rigid to provide substantially uniform pressure to force the artwork into the compliant film. In an implementation, the front panel is planar and the back panel will be slightly convex to better distribute force to the center of the artwork being displayed. This arrangement may help retain the center of the artwork in intimate contact with the compliant layer as pressure is applied to the back panel. In another implementation, the front panel is convex and the back plate is planar. In yet another implementation, both the front panel and the back panel are convex.

The front panel is preferably transparent and rigid. Suitable materials for the front panel includes glass, cast acrylic, extruded acrylic, polycarbonate and epoxy.

he light source may be any compact white light source including fluorescent lights, cold cathode fluorescent lights, incandescent lights, white LEDs, EL strips and combinations of two or more single color LEDs that can be adjusted to yield a metameric white light. The light source can have an optical housing to increase the efficiency of light injection into the front panel. Compact fluorescent tubes, EL strips and white LEDs may be particularly well suited as light sources. The light source may include a linear strip of red, green and blue LEDs that create a metameric white light. This light source may provide color rendering as the wavelengths of light emitted by the LEDs can be chosen to match the reflectance spectra of the dyes or inks used in the prints or artwork being displayed. Such a light source could be used to further enhance the dimensionality of artwork being displayed by providing superior color rendering and increasing the saturation of displayed colors. These LED light sources need not be limited to three colors. Additional wavelengths may be incorporated to further enhance the color rendering and saturation.

As mentioned above, lighting efficiency can be increased by incorporating a reflector around the light source to direct substantially all the light into the front panel in such a manner that it is confined in the panel by internal reflection. Light sources may be positioned along one or more sides of the front panel. Lighting efficiency may also be improved by incorporating reflective coatings or layers on the sides of the front panel without light sources.

In some implementations, using a combination of LEDs to produce metameric white light, it may be desirable to allow adjustments to be made to the relative intensities of the different LEDs. This will allow changes to be made in the color temperature of the light source and in turn allows users of the lighting system to select a “mood” for lighting.

A light source that includes ultraviolet lamps or ultraviolet LEDs may be used for artwork that has phosphorescent and/or fluorescent materials. Addition of ultraviolet light could increase the phosphorescent or fluorescent response of the image and enhance light output.

FIG. 5 illustrates an implementation of the assembly of a front panel 510, compliant layer 520 and light source 512. The light source 512 is disposed along one edge of the front panel 510 and the compliant layer 520. In an embodiment, reflector elements 540 may be disposed along the sides of the front panel 510 and compliant layer 520 that do not have the light source 512. The reflector elements can reflect light that would otherwise be lost out the sides of the front panel 510 back into the composite assembly of the front panel a 510 and the compliant layer 520, thereby increasing the efficiency of illumination. In other embodiments, light sources 512 may be disposed along more than one edge of the front panel 510 and the compliant layer 520. As above, a reflector element 540 may be disposed along any sides of the front panel 510 without a light source 512. Any material that acts as a predominantly specular reflector may be used for the reflector assembly 540. Examples if suitable materials include extended specular reflector (ESR) films and aluminized mylar.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view in cross-section of an edge of an artwork mounting system utilizing a chip on board (COB) light-emitting diode (LED) assembly as a light source. LED chips 660 may be disposed along a circuit board 613. The circuit board 613 may be made of a variety materials including FR4, aluminum or glass epoxy. Circuit boards made of materials with high thermal conductivity such as aluminum or copper may aid in the dissipation of heat generated by the LED chips 660. The circuit board 613 may be positioned inside a reflector housing 650 that is positioned adjacent the front panel 610. This reflector housing 650 may include a recess that accepts the front panel 610. In an implementation, the recess in the reflector housing 650 also may accept the combined assembly of a front panel 610 and a compliant layer 620. Artwork 630 may be held in intimate contact with the compliant layer 620 by a back panel 640. An inner surface 695 of the reflector housing 650 can be a predominantly specular reflector. In an implementation, the shape of the inner surface 695 will be a conic section that will aid in focusing light into the front panel 610. In another implementation, the inner surface 695 can have a parabolic shape. The reflector may be used to direct light rays 690 emitted by the LED chips 660 to strike the edge of the front panel 610 in such a manner as to reduce reflection of light rays. The reflector cavity 670 may be filled with air or with a transparent material with a refractive index that may be the same as that of the front panel 610.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an implementation of the artwork lighting system having a second back panel 745. This second back panel 745 is essentially planar. A first back panel 740 may be convex towards the artwork 730. The convex shape of the back panel 740 may enhance the evenness of pressure across the artwork into the compliant layer over a planar back panel. The evenness of pressure may reduce air bubbles between the artwork and the compliant. The first back panel 740 will tend to become more planar as the second back panel 745 is pressed into the first back panel 740. In turn, the first back panel will press the artwork into the compliant layer 720. Air between the artwork 730 and the compliant layer may escape toward the compliant layer edges as the first back panel is flattening out. Air bubbles between the compliant layer 720 and the artwork 730 can result in areas of low illumination.

Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. 

1. An apparatus for illuminating artwork comprising: a back panel; a front panel; a compliant layer disposed between the front panel and the back panel; and a light source disposed along at least one edge of the front panel, wherein the artwork is disposed between the compliant layer and the back panel and in contact with the compliant layer.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a transparent material comprises the front panel.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the back panel has a convex shape.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compliant layer is transparent.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the front panel comprises acrylic, glass or polycarbonate.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the compliant layer is applied to the front panel.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source is at least one of a fluorescent light, a cold cathode fluorescent light, an incandescent light, light-emitting diodes, chip-on-board light-emitting diodes and electro-luminescent strips.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the light source includes light-emitting diodes that provide a metameric white light when energized.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein, when operating, the light-emitting diodes are adjusted to emit wavelengths of light to match the reflective spectra of materials used in the artwork.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising at least one of a reflector or refractor arranged to direct light radiated by the light source into the front panel.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the radiated light is confined in the front panel by internal reflections.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the refractive index of the front panel and the compliant layer are substantially equal.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising reflectors disposed along sides of the front panel not having a light source disposed thereon.
 14. A method of lighting artwork comprising: disposing compliant layer between a front surface of the artwork and a front panel; urging the artwork into contact with the compliant layer; and providing a light source on an edge of the front panel, wherein the compliant layer covers the entire front surface of the artwork and light from the light source is radiated into the front panel and compliant layer.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the front panel is planar.
 16. The method of claim 14, comprising providing a back panel rearward of the artwork.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the back panel is planar.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the back panel is convex.
 19. A method of illuminating a planar surface comprising: disposing a compliant layer on a transparent and planar front panel; urging the compliant layer and front panel onto the planar surface; and providing a light source on an edge of the front panel.
 20. A method of illuminating a planar surface comprising: bringing the planar surface into contact with a compliant layer; covering the compliant layer with a transparent and planar front panel; and radiating light across a front surface of the compliant layer, wherein the radiated light is scattered forwardly of the planar surface by evanescent waves on the planar surface. 